The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-28
CONGRESSMAN TOWNSEND
WANTS AN EXTRA SESSION OF
CONGRESS-
In Order TO Take Action Concern
ing the Surplus and the
Tariff.

WASHINGTON, June N-Coneress
man Richard w. Townsend, OF Hi.
nois, in the course Of an interview
expressed himself strongly in favor q
an extra session OF Congress. 81
think" be said, shat an extra session
of Congress is a necessity both from a
political and business point Of view.
l don't spprehend any immediate
dapg OF q financial crisis on account
of our constantly increasing surplus,
but a panic is certainly inevitable IN.
less something is done by Congress to
reduce the surplus very soon. don't
think 1t will come before the first Of
January or February, however, and II
It were possible for Congress to get
down 10 work at once there would,
perhaps be no necessity for it to meet
before the regular session. / have
been in Congress good many years
but l have never known anything to
be accomplished in the way
OF legislation until latter the holi.
days. The result will be il We don't
meet till December that we will not
get down to work till the middle OF
January, and then Il may be too LAT >
to avert a terious financial panic.
Congress should be called together as
early as October, and then we can pass
any needed financial legislation before
the holidays and be ready to take hold
Of the tariff question and other impor.
tant subjects In time to accomplish
some substantial results before the
next Presidential campaign is on us.
/ believe it is time the Democratic
party made a positive record 10 favor
OF revenue reform. Pledges are very
well, but the time has now come to
act. 1t Is hard to cay whether fail
ure on the part OF the Democrats this
winter to pass q tax reduction bill
would seriously impair our prospects
in the next camp aigu, for we don't
know what the issues will be next
year; but we would occupy q more
consistent position before the Country
II we made sincere effort this winter
to carry out some of our pledges in
favor OF tariff reform. II the Demo-
cratic party can't pass tariff bill 1t is
time we found that out"
"There is said to be a disposition on
the part OF the factions in the Demo-
cratic party to come together on the
tariff question"
Eyes, l think that is true. All leg
islation more or less is the result OF
compromises. / have always been
strong advocate OF tariff reform snd
am still. / am opposed to reducing
the internal revenue tax before we re-
duce the tax ON the necessities oil life.
l believe the customs tates should be
reduced first. While never should
consent to take the tax of whisky l
should be willing to consider, by way
Of compromise in connection with GER
tain reductions in the customs tariff,
proposition to take the iHx of tobacco
and sugar. That In iteslf would re-
duce the surplus something like $780,.
600, 900 annually, There Is DISPOSE
ton among Democrats to work to-
gether, and / am confident we. shall
ne able to accomplish a great deal II
Congress should meet in October
Mr.. TownsheLd said Mr.. Cleveland
could be renominated II be cared 10
be. Probably next year he would be
the strongest man In the party. Hill
was young and could afford to wait.
Cleveland would not be candidate
for third term, and in 1892 Gov. Hill
will most likely be the unanimous
choice for President.
Mr.. Townshend said the Democrats
in Illinois We're working together in
better harmony than for many years.
The Republicans had lost their great
leader, Logan, and were fighting
among themselves. 81 told some
friends, while in New York." Mr..
Townshend added, "that l would pre-
fer to take the contract to carry Illinois
for the Democrats next year than In
diana, and l would. The Indiana
Democrats appear to be very badly
divided. But il we can carry
New York next year, We will not
need q Western State. The labor
problem will cut quite figure In the
canvass next year, but l think the
Prohibitionist, will take as many
votes from the Republicans as we will
lose by the labor vote. John Sherman
made a failure in bis Springfield
speech. He thought to capture the
Logan strength, but he only succeeded
10 running mis- Presidential prospects.
/ think Blame would be the easiest
m an to beat and Judge Gresham the